Gone To The Dogs

Today's Gospel: Matt 15:22-28

(Mat 15:22) And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.

(Mat 15:23) But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

(Mat 15:24) But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

(Mat 15:25) But she came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

(Mat 15:26) And he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs.

(Mat 15:27) But she said, Yea, Lord: for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

(Mat 15:28) Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it done unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that hour.

from Haydock's commentary

" Our Lord crosses the wishes of the Chanaanæan, not that he intended to reject her, but that he might bring to light the hidden and secret treasure of her virtue. Let us admire not only the greatness of her faith, but likewise the profoundness of her humility; for when our Saviour called the Jews children, so far from being envious or another's praise, she readily answers, and gives them the title of lords; and when Christ likened her to a dog, she presently acknowledges the meanness of her condition. (St. John Chrysostom, hom. liii.) He refused at first to listen to her petition, says the same saint, to instruct us with what faith, humility, and perseverance we ought to pray. To make his servants more sensible of his mercy, and more eager to obtain it, he often appears to pay no attention to their prayers, till he had exercised them in the virtues of humility and patience. Ask, and you shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened to you. (Haydock)"



This great faith! Simply accepting the crumbs. At times my life is anguishing. Things are contrary to what I'd like. There seems to be constant strife and confusion. I feel like God is toying with me...only dropping crumbs. Yet because this woman saw her relationship to the master...it was considered great faith. It is a kind of true abandonment of her ego to consider herself a dog. Maybe we should all go to the dogs.

Forgive my presumption, O Lord. Heal me this very hour. Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David.

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